NBS Special Report: 2014 MWA Edgar Awards

Mystery Writers of America today announced the nominees for the 2014 Edgar Allan Poe Award nominees, honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television, published or produced in 2013. Here are the nominees for Best Short Story:

• "The Terminal" – Kwik Krimes by Reed Farrel Coleman (Amazon Publishing – Thomas & Mercer)
• "So Long, Chief" – Strand Magazine by Max Allan Collins & Mickey Spillane (The Strand)
• "The Caxton Lending Library & Book Depository” – Bibliomysteries by John Connolly (Mysterious)
• "There are Roads in the Water" – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine by Tina Corey (Dell Magazines)
• "Where That Morning Sun Goes Down" – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine by Tim L. Williams (Dell Magazines)

and the winner of the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Short Story by an American Author:

• "The Wentworth Letter" – Criminal Element's Malfeasance Occasional by Jeff Soloway (St. Martin's Press)

Congratulations and good luck to all. Awards will be presented to the winners at the 68th Edgar® Awards Banquet on May 1, 2014.

"The Bridal Bed" by John Connolly

From: Nocturnes by John Connolly. Atria Books, 2006.

For Halloween, a story from Connolly's dark, supernatural-tinged collection. Engaged for a year, a man's fiancee is murdered two weeks before their wedding. Enthralled with her in life, the man is haunted after her death—seeing her ghostly form, hearing her call to him. On what would have been their wedding night, their first night together, he decides to exhume her body.

"Some Children Wander by Mistake" by John Connolly

From: Nocturnes by John Connolly, Atria Books, 2006.

This story follows William, a ten-year-old boy fascinated by the circus. When the Circus Caliban comes to town, William is given a ticket to its one-night-only performance. That night, he wanders away from his parents, curious that he hasn't seen any clowns.

Finding his way into a secluded tent, he discovers the clowns are disguised as people. When they rub off their flesh-colored makeup their true features are revealed, including orange hair, whiteface, and prickly tongues. They speak a language William doesn't understand at first, but eventually he learns not only that clowns hate and kidnap children, but that he is a clown himself.

What sounds far-fetched to describe is made believable by the atmosphere and tone Connolly establishes. If you aren't afraid of clowns, you may well be after reading this story.